84 tooth vs. 90 tooth ratchet

[BrandoJames]

I don’t think that 6 more teeth will make a noticeable difference. But the marketing **** dictionary says that a higher number has to be more better.

Agreed. In regard to ratchet tooth count, once you're at 72 tooth (5 degree swing arc), the law of diminishing returns kicks in. Even an upgrade to 120 tooth (3 degree swing arc) would be difficult to detect for most people. A professional may notice a slight difference, but for a home gamer like me--no way.

The only reason to upgrade in this case would be if the OP was genuinely unhappy with his current 84 tooth ratchet. But then I'd recommend a different brand altogether, since the 6 tooth "upgrade" (to 90 tooth) would be negligible.

 

[Mr_B]

You can rebuild the GW 84T with Matco 88 kits for around 15 bucks, The GW 84T is a pretty decent performing ratchet that at current deal prices (2 and 3 piece set can be silly cheap) is great value buy .
people should be more concerned on suitable design for use, back drag, lash tolerances, and the clevis pin joint on flex heads as that the real importances and will highlight better engineering/manufacture and make biggest differences in real world daily use ...

 

[demarpaint]

Once again thanks for the replies. I haven't pulled the trigger, yet. What I did do was buy one of these: https://www.harryepstein.com/80200-sk-3-8-drive-90-tooth-8-teardrop-low-profile-lp90-ratchet.html. I have SK tools and like them. If this is any good, I'll probably add the 1/4" drive, then decide on which Flex-heads, if any, to add to my current set. Keep the replies coming!

 

[BrandoJames]

You can rebuild the GW 84T with Matco 88 kits for around 15 bucks.

Whoa, didn't know you could do that. A Matco 88 kit inside a GearWrench ratchet--those two lines aren't related, are they?

I can see a Snap-on kit working inside a Blue-Point ratchet, since they're owned by the same company. But a Matco kit working inside a GearWrench ratchet surprises me.

 

[lardy1]

As soon as I used my LP90 I knew I wanted to have the flex. I'm kind of an SK brand ***** but they outwaited me and I rounded out my collection with various manufacturers including a GW 84t locking flex. If they had released before I retired I would have bought other versions of the SK anyway. But I can't justify it now. I've stated a few times that the GW is a usable ratchet and it was very affordable. If you like the SK as much as I do, I think you'll buy more of them. They don't offer locking flex. The selector switch takes some breaking in. Some people report backdrag but mine seems fine.

Thanks for the thread. It has made me want to like my GW more.

 

[Mr_B]

Whoa, didn't know you could do that. A Matco 88 kit inside a GearWrench ratchet--those two lines aren't related, are they?

I can see a Snap-on kit working inside a Blue-Point ratchet, since they're owned by the same company. But a Matco kit working inside a GearWrench ratchet surprises me.

they related .
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=444481

 

[BrandoJames]

Now I'm wondering if I can upgrade my Williams S-52EHFA (36 tooth) ratchet with a Snap-on Dual 80 repair kit.

 

[Mgdoug3]

Nope. A dual 80 won't work in a 36 tooth ratchet.

 

[demarpaint]

As soon as I used my LP90 I knew I wanted to have the flex. I'm kind of an SK brand ***** but they outwaited me and I rounded out my collection with various manufacturers including a GW 84t locking flex. If they had released before I retired I would have bought other versions of the SK anyway. But I can't justify it now. I've stated a few times that the GW is a usable ratchet and it was very affordable. If you like the SK as much as I do, I think you'll buy more of them. They don't offer locking flex. The selector switch takes some breaking in. Some people report backdrag but mine seems fine.

Thanks for the thread. It has made me want to like my GW more.

I'm glad I started the thread, I got some good info. I have a feeling I'll be adding the 1/4" 90 tooth, a long handle 3/8" 90 tooth. I have a pretty good assortment of 1/2" drive and don't think I'll need anything with 90 teeth in a 1/2" drive.

 

[Yarpo]

I suspect the raised lines under the selector are to minimize the appearance of scratches under the selector. The scratches will only be on the peaks of the raised lines instead of the entire surface so scratches won't be as visible. Might seem silly but appearances gets lots of peoples attention. I recall a reviewer on this forum mentioning scratches under the selector on a ratchet.

Think so? Looking at my ratchet the area with the fewest scratches is under the selector. I'm not saying it couldn't be a possibility but I just cant see them putting that much thought into minor scratches? Hard to say. I think dirt/othershit will get caught in the grooves if anything.

 

[measuredtwice]

Think so? Looking at my ratchet the area with the fewest scratches is under the selector. I'm not saying it couldn't be a possibility but I just cant see them putting that much thought into minor scratches? Hard to say. I think dirt/othershit will get caught in the grooves if anything.

My guess was that it minimized scratches under the selector. So if you aren't getting scratches, that would be consistent, not inconsistent, with my guess. It's just a guess though. It does seem like a silly thing but then again a lot of folks get hung up on appearances.

 

[Yarpo]

My guess was that it minimized scratches under the selector. So if you aren't getting scratches, that would be consistent, not inconsistent, with my guess. It's just a guess though. It does seem like a silly thing but then again a lot of folks get hung up on appearances.

The least scratched area is under the selector with the 84T model, not the 90T. The 90T hasn't seen any use yet. Note the pictures on page 2.

 

[demarpaint]

I got this from HJE yesterday SK 80200 3/8" drive 90 tooth. It is a nice tool for the money. I'm toying around with getting the 1/4" drive and a longer version.

 

[Ton ton]

What is the length? I like it.

 

[demarpaint]

What is the length? I like it.

8" low profile.

 

[Fedwrench]

What is the length? I like it.

the first run with the green direction switch was cool. The current switches are fugly!!! They look like cheap pot metal. The one on the current 1/4 ratchets is too large for the ratchet head.

 

[demarpaint]

the first run with the green direction switch was color. The current switches are fugly!!!

I saw that run. Honestly the color, or lack of it doesn't bother me one way or the other. Although knowing at a quick glance by the color that I had a 90 tooth tool would be of some help.

 

[lardy1]

As much as I like the LP90, that switch cheapens the appearance of an otherwise fine looking tool.

 

[measuredtwice]

The least scratched area is under the selector with the 84T model, not the 90T. The 90T hasn't seen any use yet. Note the pictures on page 2.

Seeing scratches in a photo isn't reliable. Sometimes the light isn't at the right angle or the photos are too blurry. I can't tell from your photos but I take your word on it.

In your photos, it looked like the lines were peaks but I looked at other photos on the web and the lines looked like valleys. That throws my whole theory out the window.

...But the talk about the color of the selector on SK ratchets proves my point about appearances -haha.

 

[demarpaint]

As much as I like the LP90, that switch cheapens the appearance of an otherwise fine looking tool.

I hear ya. As the saying goes beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder.

 

[Mgdoug3]

I have the SK 3/8 LP90 flex and I wouldn't trade it for anything. It feels great in my hands. SK does have limited options on different types of ratchets which is a negative for people who only like one brand or a person looking for a specific ratchet. For myself it's not a problem, I just buy from a different brand whether it's Snap-on or GW.

 

[Throwawrench]

I know this is kinda old, but i have some info id like to share to those who are searching the forum or google for info. I had a 84 tooth locking flex head that i loved. sadly i broke it, it was a case of extreme abuse, that would have broken any 1/4 tool BTW I broke it not using it as a ratchet. I warrantied it out. It took forever due to corona, but when i got my new tool it was a 90 tooth. I will tell you it has less slop in it, has the same size head. I took them apart and they have the same size gears and paws in them even though the cut out is smaller for the drive gear. Maybe thats why it has less paly in it. I also dont see why you couldnt rebuild it with a 84 tooth kit or a matco kit if thats what you have on hand. Its also lubed with a very thin oil which is what i have alway re-lubed my gearwrenches with. I have a few sets of gearwrench ratchets and when i brake a ratchet i grab one that i dont use as much or need at the time and I rebuild the one i need due to length or flex needed ext, so i can use it for the duration of my project then get a rebuild kit. I dont break ratchets very often but I like that option if it does happen.
By the way I didnt even have to mail the broken tool in, they just sent me a new one. As far as quality goes I have a locking flex armstrong 88 tooth and these gearwrenches are about 95 percent the quality. I do have a few protos that i got used and i like those just a hair more. I have a better selection of gearwrenches so they get get used more and i have no complaints. These gearwrenches are far above their price point weather 84 or 90 tooth

 

[JR 42]

What don't you like about it lardy1? I don't have any newer Gearwrench ratchets (I've already got a bunch of ratchets, and really don't like Apex), but the GJ consensus from several mechanics and whatnot seems to be that the 84 tooth have less backdrag and smaller heads than the 120XP, and are strong functional tools.

My 60 tooth GW stubby 3/8 has been just fine the handful of times I've used it...

ETA, either a post disappeared, or I should stop drinking dinner... coulda sworn he had a post about a 90- tooth replacement sucking as much as the warranteed one.

 

[Fedwrench]

If you look at the redesigned gear cover on the new Gearwrench 90 tooth ratchet series, it's an exact match for the gear covers found on Sata ratchets and some husky ratchets. The untrusting part of me thinks these new Gearwrench 90 tooth ratchets might be assembled in Taiwan out of pieces made in the Sata factory in China, people's Republic of.

 

[JR 42]

I would, frankly, be stunned and stuff, if Apex was doing that... good eye Fed!